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Voodoo, Vaccines, and Bed Nets

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  • Nik Stoop
  • Marijke Verpoorten
  • Koen Deconinck

Abstract

We provide the first quantitative analysis to scrutinize the ample ethnographic evidence that magico-religious beliefs affect the demand for conventional health care in sub-Saharan Africa. We rely on the unique case of Benin, where Voodoo adherence is freely reported and varies greatly within villages and even within households yet can be traced to historic events that are arguably exogenous to present-day health-care behavior. These features allow us to account for confounding village and household factors and address self-selection into Voodoo. We find that Voodoo adherence of the mother is associated with lower uptake of preventive health-care measures and worse child health outcomes.

Suggested Citation

  • Nik Stoop & Marijke Verpoorten & Koen Deconinck, 2019. "Voodoo, Vaccines, and Bed Nets," Economic Development and Cultural Change, University of Chicago Press, vol. 67(3), pages 493-535.
    • Handle: RePEc:ucp:ecdecc:doi:10.1086/698308
    DOI: 10.1086/698308
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    Cited by:

    1. Heath Milsom, Luke, 2023. "Spatial inequality of opportunity in West Africa," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 225(C).
    2. Neha Deopa & Daniele Rinaldo, 2023. "Sacred Ecology: The Environmental Impact of African Traditional Religions," Papers 2401.13673, arXiv.org.

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